You can apply for workers’ compensation if you are injured at work. Unfortunately, sometimes these claims get denied, causing plenty of financial stress for you and your family.
Fortunately, there is an appeals process. Navigating it on your own while you are recovering can be tough. A Breaux Bridge workers’ compensation lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can file an appeal on your behalf or file a personal injury lawsuit against a liable third party.
Common Types of Workplace Accidents in Breaux Bridge, LA
A workplace can be a dangerous place, even if you do not think your industry is a hazardous one. The most common types of workplace accidents, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), include:
- Falls from high heights
- Slip and fall accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Exposure to dangerous chemicals and substances
- Accidents involving machinery
- Transportation accidents
- Injuries from defective products
Any of these accidents can cause an injury that could keep you out of work for some time. Serious injuries might even affect your ability to work in the same capacity in the future. After any injury, you need to seek medical help right away and then apply for workers’ compensation benefits.
For a free legal consultation with a workers' compensation lawyer serving Breaux Bridge, call (337) 777-7777
Filing for Workers’ Compensation in Louisiana
Once an injury happens, you need to report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. You have 30 days from the date of injury to give notice in most cases. You do not want to miss out on the compensation you deserve, so report the injury and incident as soon as possible to get the process started.
What Kinds of Injuries Can Be Reported
Some employees believe only major injuries from big accidents qualify them for workers’ compensation benefits, but that is not the case. You should apply for workers’ compensation when you are involved in a serious accident that leaves you with broken bones, a spinal cord injury, or an amputated limb, but you should report other types of injuries as well.
You can report an illness you have developed as a result of your time at work. You can report repetitive stress injuries caused by repeating the same motions day in and day out. In some cases, you can also report mental stress that has arisen due to an accident or catastrophic injury. Do not think that your issue is not significant enough to apply for workers’ compensation benefits.
Your Employer and Their Role
Once you have reported your injury to your employer, they are required to report it to the Office of Workers’ Compensation within ten days of being notified per Louisiana Revised Statutes § 23:1306.
Breaux Bridge Workers' Compensation Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
What Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Breaux Bridge Should Help Cover
An injury at work can leave you with mounting bills and a large hole in the family budget. Workers’ compensation benefits should help cover a variety of expenses stemming from your accident, including:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- The cost of in-home care
- The cost of future care
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Reduced future earning potential
Workers’ compensation covers economic damages such as your medical expenses and lost wages while you recover. But non-economic damages like pain and suffering is not covered. If you suffered physical and emotional damages from your work-related accident or illness, a Breaux Bridge workers’ compensation lawyer at our firm can investigate your case and file a civil lawsuit against a third party on your behalf.
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What Happens When Your Employer Denies Your Claim
If your claim is denied, you must file an appeal with the Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration (OWCA). You have to complete certain forms to dispute your employer and show you are deserving of compensation.
At this point, hiring a workers’ compensation attorney from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help. One of our lawyers serving Breaux Bridge can make your case for the compensation you need to move forward.
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How Your Lawyer Serving Breaux Bridge Can Help
Your lawyer will do the following to assist with your workers’ compensation case:
- Defend you from any accusations: your employer might try to say that this was not a workplace injury. You injured yourself elsewhere and blamed your job, or maybe you have a preexisting condition that caused your current health issues. They might even accuse you of being intoxicated or in another state of mind that contributed to your accident. Your lawyer will defend you from any such accusations.
- Represent you in front of a workers’ compensation judge: if a settlement is not reached initially, your lawyer will represent you at a hearing in front of a judge. They will prepare you for the hearing and act as your advocate, fighting for the compensation you and your family deserve.
- Answer any of your questions: navigating the workers’ compensation system can seem intimidating at first. Your attorney can answer any questions and ensure you know what is going on and how your case is proceeding.
- Gather all evidence needed to make your case: your attorney will gather any evidence to corroborate what happened. Whether there are eyewitnesses to your accident or safety records to review, your lawyer will compile everything needed to make your case.
- Calculate fair compensation: your lawyer will look at your medical bills and wages. They will talk to medical experts about your prognosis and how your workplace injury will affect you. Then they will calculate fair compensation and help you fight for it.
Paying for an Attorney
You might be dealing with financial stress, so we understand you do not want to add attorney’s fees to your pile of bills Our lawyers work on contingency. That means that we do not get paid until you win your case. There are no upfront fees to be concerned about.
Receive Your Free Legal Consultation
If your workers’ compensation claim has been denied, or you want to file a civil lawsuit against a liable third party, do not give up and go it alone. Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today. We would be happy to tell you more about what a workers’ compensation lawyer serving Breaux Bridge can do to assist you.
Call or text (337) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
